In the entire manga, as far as I have found, Karasuma has smiled exactly once. I didn't even notice it the first time I saw it, but it really leapt out on a second read of the chapter in question. What could this sole indication of emotion reveal about Karasuma's character? Why would he smile right there and then? Was it just a random red herring, or is it the key to everything? Does it have any relevance to his loving Tenma or loving... someone else?

In case you have no idea what I am talking about, the smile (or laugh) was in Chapter 142, page 7. It could suggest one rather shocking possibility that would be the ultimate irony possible in the manga.

01-05-2007, 01:39 PM

Kolox

That smile was indication that Karasuma likes... Harima :D Maybe Karasuma, deep in his heart, would like to be a human like Harima, with lots of emotion and not alien without any expressions of his feelings.

About his first smile: it looks like his face muscles are not used to smiles at all, he looked like he is smiling first time in his whole life.

Second smile: Deffinitely cute! :D

I think he just tried to please Harima, it was like saying: "Nah, i don't mind drawing that picture you just destroyed once more." So I just agree with Kolox here. Harima is Karasuma's idol..thats' the ultimate irony.

01-05-2007, 02:08 PM

larry

That smile was only Harima's imagination, I think. Just look at background behind him it's gray.

That smile was indication that Karasuma likes... Harima :D Maybe Karasuma, deep in his heart, would like to be a human like Harima, with lots of emotion and not alien without any expressions of his feelings.

But... the same applies to Tenma. Why wouldn't he ever smile at her? He's much closer with her than with Harima. Why such a random little smile when Harima was just looking at him and stammering?

Of course my point is that Karasuma may be gay and in love with Harima. It seems ridiculous, but... why the smile? This could also play out very ironically at the end of the manga. Suppose Tenma and Harima get together despite both of them believing (due to yet another misunderstanding) that Karasuma does love Tenma. Then, as they say goodbye to him, he asks their permission for one kiss. Tenma and Harima awkwardly agree, and Karasuma kisses... Harima goodbye. Roll credits.

Quote:

Originally Posted by reinard-fox

I think he just tried to please Harima, it was like saying: "Nah, i don't mind drawing that picture you just destroyed once more." So I just agree with Kolox here. Harima is Karasuma's idol..thats' the ultimate irony.

But my impression was that Karasuma didn't notice the ink drip. Otherwise, Harima wouldn't have been trying to alter the picture without Karasuma noticing.

01-05-2007, 02:18 PM

reinard-fox

Maybe taht just HArima is thinking that Karasuma didn't notice, while Karasuma has.

Or maybe Karasuma just doesn't see any difference between men and women...

Quote:

Originally Posted by NeoSapien

Suppose Tenma and Harima get together despite both of them believing (due to yet another misunderstanding) that Karasuma does love Tenma. Then, as they say goodbye to him, he asks their permission for one kiss. Tenma and Harima awkwardly agree, and Karasuma kisses... Harima goodbye. Roll credits.

Would be awsome, taht kiss. I can imagine Eri's face....and chainsaw :D

And you just gave some people the matherial for another OCC-yaoi.

01-05-2007, 02:33 PM

Kolox

I always like the chapters where two guys who hate each other because of 'male understanding' they become friends ( I always wanted a chapter where Harima and Hanai actually becomes friends - or maybe even sparring partners).

But man...no.. not that thing...not yaoi !!

Quote:

Originally Posted by NeoSapien

But my impression was that Karasuma didn't notice the ink drip. Otherwise, Harima wouldn't have been trying to alter the picture without Karasuma noticing.

I think he noticed - what other reason would be for Karasuma to smiley ?? (and don't give me a yaoi scenario or I will... well, I can't do anything..but let's be serious :D)

Karasuma smiling to Tenma (where was it again ??) It's too his way of.. better interaction with her. We know Karasuma suck at talking with people, but man : he writes a romance comedy manga - he, like Harima, has an urge inside him to let his emotion go.. let others know.

01-05-2007, 02:37 PM

reinard-fox

Hm, maybe Karasuma just thought of some great joke and was smiling because of that?

And yeah, did he ever smile to Tenma? I can't remember such a moment.

01-05-2007, 02:39 PM

NeoSapien

Quote:

Originally Posted by reinard-fox

Maybe taht just HArima is thinking that Karasuma didn't notice, while Karasuma has.

But why would Karasuma smile at Harima accidentally messing up his work that he is under great time pressure to complete? I doubt that Harima would smile if he saw even Tenma drip ink on his manga, and if he did, it would only be to cover up his disappointment for her sake because he's so madly in love with her.

Quote:

Or maybe Karasuma just doesn't see any difference between men and women...

Would be awsome, taht kiss. I can imagine Eri's face....and chainsaw :D

And you just gave some people the matherial for another OCC-yaoi.

Yeah. I know. :(

But really, it's an interesting possibility. Some of Karasuma's unusual behavior makes more sense when viewed through this possibility. For instance, he may have been following Harima around and drinking water in the same exact way because he wanted to get close to him. Also, the infamous, extremely out of character curry incident may have occured because Karasuma didn't want to make Harima think that he liked Tenma, and Harima just misinterpreted Karasuma's sad gaze that he couldn't comfort Tenma to be desire to eat at the curry shop sale. Then there's Harima's creation of a "lovey dovey" photo of himself and Karasuma, which could count as ironic foreshadowing - unlike every single other attempt of Harima to sabotage Tenma and Karasuma, this one didn't have any karmic backfire on Harima. He completely got away with it. So what was the point? Ironic foreshadowing?

Finally, it's entertaining to read chapters like 201 through this lens.